held up, closer order 9th, mistake 13th, ridden 2 out and one pace
tracked leaders, weakened 10th, soon behind, pulled up before last
in rear, reminder 6th, soon tailed off
in rear, mistake 2nd, jumped right throughout, headway 11th, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, jumped right when weakening last
led, blundered 8th, soon headed, pecked 3 out, ever chance last, no extra
tracked leaders, led 9th, mistake 2 out, jumped right when challenged last, ran on
mid-division, reminders 5th, behind from 12th
The market should tell us plenty and Murphys Cardinal is taken to win this at the principal expense of Wild Is The Wind and Rydal Park. Murphys Cardinal had a degree of class about him when raced previously under rules but he has earnt his corn in point-to-points of late and with crack pilot, Richard Burton aboard, a bold bid can be anticipated. Wild Is The Wind was more than a little quirky under rules. He is yet to score in this sphere but the trip is no problem on balance. Rydal Park was well punted ahead of a recent event at Leicester. He did not help his chance with a bad blunder at the last but this is a tougher race on paper. Moscow Court showed improved form for the application of cheekpieces. He is worth another look over today¿s trip. Thompsons Wood looks to have lost his way at present while the others are readily opposed on what we have seen of late. A fair finale and Murphys Cardinal is the pick.
Wild Is The Wind (FR) 15-2 (11-13) Close up, mistake 7th, chased leaders next, ridden 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Le Passing (11-13) at Leicester 2m 7f hts chs (3) gd in Mar.
Thompsons Wood (IRE) 16-1 (12-1) Chased leader, lost place 9th, ridden and behind 12th and pulled up at the 15th in race won by Back Nine (11-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f hts chs (6) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Alpha Image (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, struggling 9th, behind after 12th, 5th of 9, 30l behind El Hombre Del Rio (11-12) at Towcester 3m hts chs (6) sft in Mar.
Arf The Price 12-1 (12-0) Hdwy 5; led 12-14; wknd 3 out, 4th of 17, 15l behind Coral Cay (11-7) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Moscow Court (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Tracked leader; led 11-3 out; no chance with wnr, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Man From Highworth (12-4) at Lockinge 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Murphy's Cardinal (IRE) 7-4 (12-5) A.p; led 2 out; drew clr flat, won at Kimble 3m ptp sft in Mar beating Irilut (12-5) by 7l, 4 ran.
Rydal Park (IRE) 7-4 (12-5) A.p; led 14; r.o wl, won at Horseheath 3m ptp gd in Mar beating The Hookie Bookie (12-5) by 11l, 8 ran.
Dizzy Massini 18-1 (10-12) Ran in snatches, chased leaders, not clear run after 3 out, jumped right and went 3 lengths 2nd 2 out, saddle slipped and pulled up 3 out in race won by El Hombre Del Rio (11-12) at Towcester 3m hts chs (6) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
